Protective enclosure for electronic device

• US 8,395,894 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2011
• Issued: 03/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Original Assignee: Otter Products LLC
• Inventors: Richardson, Curtis R., Morine, Alan, Thomas, Brian, Johnson, Jamie Lee, Thompson, Jason Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US13/043,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20110157800A1
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.55, 361/679.56
• US Class Current: 361/679.55
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/002 Protective covers
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/001 for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or MP3-players
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0249 Details of the mechanical connection between the housing parts or relating to the method of assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/18 Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment H04M1/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0004 comprising several parts forming a closed casing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0013 assembled by resilient members
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0086 portable, e.g. battery operated apparatus casings for switching devices H01H9/02
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0221 Locks; Latches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/023 Handles; Grips
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/068 having a pressure compensation device, e.g. membrane venting means H05K5/0213
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Disclosed is a three-layer protective enclosure that provides resistance to water, dust, dirt, and bump protection for sensitive computers. In one embodiment, an inner membrane layer is provided, which is a thin, flexible layer that protects portions of a computer and allows the user to interact with keyboards, push buttons and other interactive features of the computer. A protective hard shell fits tightly over the membrane and provides additional sealing and rigidity to the protective enclosure. A stretchable cushion layer is placed over the hard shell which conforms to the hard shell and seals moisture, dust and dirt from entering the hard shell. The stretchable cushion layer provides cushioning and also allows access to certain controls on the computer. In another embodiment, a touch screen cover may be used with, or without, a membrane over other portions of the computer.

Claims

1. A protective enclosure for an electronic device, said protective enclosure comprising:

a stretchable cushion layer that is disposed over a hard shell cover that fits over said electronic device, wherein said stretchable cushion layer has sufficient elasticity to substantially conform to said hard shell cover and provide cushioning to said protective enclosure, said stretchable cushion layer exposing at least a portion of said hard shell cover and having a tab disposed to fit into a corresponding groove in said hard shell cover.

2. The protective enclosure of claim 1, wherein said hard shell cover is formed to provide openings that allow a user to have interactive access to controls of said electronic device, said hard shell cover providing rigidity to said protective enclosure, said hard shell cover comprising a front shell formed to a rigid shape of a front portion of said electronic device and a back shell formed to a rigid shape of a rear portion of said electronic device.

3. The protective enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a flexible membrane that is molded to fit over at least a front portion of said electronic device and that allows interactive access to said controls on said front portion of said electronic device.

4. The protective enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a touch screen cover that is attached to said hard shell cover, said touch screen cover being sufficiently thin and disposed sufficiently close to a touch screen of said electronic device when said electronic device is disposed in said protective enclosure to allow activation of said touch screen through said touch screen cover.

5. A protective enclosure for an electronic device, said protective enclosure comprising:

a stretchable cushion layer that is disposed over a hard shell cover that fits over said electronic device, wherein said stretchable cushion layer has sufficient elasticity to substantially conform to said hard shell cover and provide cushioning to said protective enclosure, said stretchable cushion layer exposing at least a portion of said hard shell cover, said hard shell cover comprising a tab disposed to fit into a corresponding groove in said stretchable cushion layer.

6. The protective enclosure of claim 5, wherein said hard shell cover is formed to provide openings that allow a user to have interactive access to controls of said electronic device, said hard shell cover providing rigidity to said protective enclosure, said had shell cover comprising a front shell formed to a rigid shape of a front portion of said electronic device and a back shell formed to a rigid shape of a rear portion of said electronic device.

7. The protective enclosure of claim 5, further comprising a flexible membrane that is molded to fit over at least a front portion of said electronic device and that allows interactive access to said controls on said front portion of said electronic device.

8. The protective enclosure of claim 5, further comprising a touch screen cover that is attached to said hard shell cover, said touch screen cover being sufficiently thin and disposed sufficiently close to a touch screen of said electronic device when said electronic device is disposed in said protective enclosure to allow activation of said touch screen through said touch screen cover.